BEN CHAMESH L’MIKRA בס"ד
- הענינים מלקו"ש השבועי ועוד -
נשמת אפרים לע"נ ר' אפרים ב"ר אברהם ע"ה האפמאן
▪Resource to encourage the study of the Rebbe’s sichos ▪
Designed for use in the classroom or at the Shabbos Table
Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe
Questions and Answers
What did Yisro add that warranted that the Parsha be called by his name?
Moshe judged the people by himself, lifting the people to his level. Yisro’s addition (the outsider) saw that the people could judge themselves and make the Torah their own. Thus, his name was added to this Parsha indicating the addition that a Jew may make the Torah one’s own. (לקוטי שיחות כרך ו ט, עמ' 203)
Why was Moshe commanded to give different information to the women than the men?
Moshe was commanded to give to the women the general principles and foundations of the Torah (the essence), and to give to the men only the particulars (a lower level). Men exist within a particular, limited “hour”. Whereas, women relate to the essence of time, they transcend the particulars. Therefore, it is said that just as the redemption of Egypt was due to the merit of women, so the woman will create the conditions for the future Redemption. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כא, עמ' 93)
Why was the giving of Torah accompanied by five Sounds קולות?
Within each “sound” there is an importance and a complete concept of Torah. The five levels show the drawing down through the natural order from above (evident within Torah and the Chatan & Kallah). All five levels of Torah were given together, so that the highest should transform even the lowest part of a person. (לקוטי שיחות כרך עמו, עמ' 107)
Why is the different levels of refraining from activities on Shabbos: in action (from the Torah), in speech (from the Rabbis) and in thought (from Chassidus)?
Shabbos we make a cessation on various levels to reflect on our relationship with G-d (לקוטי שיחות כרך י, עמ' 80)
Levels Table
SOULLEVELSWORLDSSOUL EXPRESSG-D’S NAMELIFE FORCESSEVEN BLESSINGSTORAHנפשעשיהאותיות הדומםששוןויהי קולות (לשון רבים)רוחיצירהמידות וצומחשמחהנשמהבריאהשכל החיחתן וקול שופרחי'אצילותכח הדיבור ימדברכלה קול השופריחידהעצמותאנכי יהודיהודו את ה'אלקים יעננו בקולShabbos Levels
- ACTION (Torah): Effect outside of oneself. Shows an external connection with the Commander.
- SPEECH (Rabanan): Reveals one’s intellect and feelings to another. Shows an inner desire to cling to G-d.
- THOUGHT (Midas Chassidus): Reveals one’s intellect and feelings to oneself; no connection to physicality. One’s whole existence is to serve one’s Creator; completely nullified.
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